Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?

By Dental Implant Cost Editorial Team, independent cost research
Updated 2026-06-17

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The short answer: coverage is limited but growing

Traditional dental insurance was designed around preventive care and basic restorative work like fillings and crowns. Dental implants did not exist in most insurers' actuarial models until relatively recently, so older plan designs simply excluded them. That is changing, but slowly. Today some plans cover a portion of implant costs, and knowing what to look for can save you thousands of dollars.

What typical plans cover and what they do not

Component	Common coverage status
Implant post (titanium screw)	Excluded by most traditional plans
Abutment connector	Excluded by most traditional plans
Crown on the implant	Often covered at 50 percent under major restorative
Bone graft	Sometimes covered if medically necessary
Tooth extraction	Usually covered at 50 to 80 percent
X-rays and CT scan	Usually covered for diagnostics

Plan types that may help

Employer-sponsored group plans with implant riders: Some larger group plans include an implant benefit, often covering 50 percent of the implant post up to the annual maximum. Check your Summary Plan Description.
Individual plans with implant coverage: A handful of individual market plans, particularly through Cigna, Aetna, and Guardian, offer implant coverage after a waiting period of 12 to 24 months. Annual maximums of $1,000 to $2,000 per year limit the benefit significantly.
Delta Dental: Coverage varies sharply by plan. Delta Dental PPO plans on some employers do cover implants; individual Delta Dental plans typically do not without a specific rider. Call Delta Dental directly with your plan ID to confirm.
Medicare and Medicaid: Traditional Medicare Part A and Part B do not cover dental implants. Some Medicare Advantage plans include dental benefits that may partially cover implants. Medicaid dental coverage for adults varies by state and rarely covers implants.

How to find out what your plan covers

Do not rely on a summary brochure. Call the member services number on your insurance card and ask two specific questions: Does my plan cover dental implants, and what is the frequency limitation and waiting period? Then ask your dental office to submit a pre-authorization before scheduling surgery. A pre-auth gives you a written estimate of what the insurer will pay before you commit.

You can also use the dental implant cost calculator to estimate your out-of-pocket cost after entering your expected insurance contribution.

Medical insurance as a backup

In rare cases, medical insurance covers implant-related procedures when tooth loss resulted from an accident, trauma, or a medically necessary extraction tied to cancer treatment or jaw surgery. Document the medical cause thoroughly and have your dental office submit to medical insurance first before billing dental. This approach rarely covers the full implant but can offset bone grafting or surgical fees.

Talk to a licensed dentist and your insurance representative to understand what your specific plan covers. Coverage varies enormously between plans and between individual states.

Frequently asked questions

Does Delta Dental cover dental implants? It depends on your specific Delta Dental plan. Some employer group plans through Delta Dental do cover implants at 50 percent of the post and crown, subject to the annual maximum. Individual Delta Dental plans usually do not include implant coverage unless you purchased an upgraded tier. Call Delta Dental with your member ID to confirm.

Does Medicare cover dental implants? Standard Medicare Part A and Part B do not cover dental implants. Some Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans include dental benefits that may partially cover implants. Check your Advantage plan's Evidence of Coverage document or call the plan directly.

What is a waiting period and how does it affect implants? Many plans with implant coverage require you to be enrolled for 12 to 24 months before the benefit kicks in. If you sign up for a plan specifically because you need implants, expect to wait before the insurer will pay any portion.

Bottom line

Most traditional dental plans provide little or no coverage for the implant post itself, but some will pay 50 percent of the crown component under major restorative benefits. Plans with explicit implant coverage do exist, mostly through employer group plans and select individual carriers. Always call your insurer directly, request a pre-authorization, and confirm the waiting period before scheduling surgery. Consult a licensed dentist to review your options.

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